Anglican orders are "absolutely null and utterly void". In recent years, due to increasing theological differences within the Anglican Communion, there have been a number of instances of "valid but irregular" ordinations performed by clergy acting outside the normal authority structures of the church. Under the Overseas and Other Clergy (Ministry and Ordination) Measure 1967 the Church of England "recognizes and accepts" as valid the orders of two churches which, although Anglican in identity, are not members of the Anglican Communion: the Church of England in South Africa and the Free Church of England. Ministry and the sacraments In Anglican sacramental theology, certain ministerial functions can only be performed by individuals ordained into one or more of the three holy orders. There are two kinds of ministers in this sense. The ordinary minister of a sacrament has both the spiritual power to perform the sacrament (i.e. a valid sacrament) and the legal authority to perform the sacrament (i.e. a licit sacrament). An extraordinary minister has the spiritual power but may only perform the sacrament in certain special instances under canon law (i.e. emergencies). If a person who is neither an ordinary nor an extraordinary minister attempts to perform a sacrament, no preternatural effect happens (i.e. the putative sacrament is not merely illicit, but invalid). In the Anglican Communion, the following are ministers of the sacraments ("clergy" refers to either a deacon, priest, or bishop): Baptism: clergy (laity may administer only in cases of emergency). Confirmation: bishop. Eucharist: bishop or priest (consecration); clergy or laity licensed by the diocesan bishop (administration). Reconciliation of a penitent: bishop or priest. Healing (Anointing): bishop or priest. Matrimony: the individuals to be married (presided over by clergy) Holy Orders: at least one bishop ordains deacons and priests; three or more bishops consecrate other bishops. Threefold order The churches of the Anglican Communion maintain the historical episcopate, which ordains clergy into the three orders of deacon, priest and bishop. Bishops Bishops provide the leadership for the Anglican Communion, including the Free Church of England, in accordance with episcopal polity. All bishops, constituting a worldwide College of Bishops, are considered to be equal in orders. However, bishops have a variety of different responsibilities, and in these some bishops are more senior than others. All bishops, of diocesan rank and below, are styled the Right Reverend; more senior bishops and archbishops are styled as the Most Reverend. Most